(Commonwealth)_ The Commonwealth Secretariat’s Human Rights Unit, in collaboration with Malawi’s Ministry of Justice, recently conducted a two-day working session in Lilongwe to support Malawi’s preparations for the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The workshop, held from 15 to 16 May 2025, brought together 55 members of Malawi’s National Mechanism for Implementation, Reporting, and Follow-up (NMIRF), marking a key step in the country’s commitment to strengthening its human rights framework.
The UPR is a unique intergovernmental process under the United Nations Human Rights Council in which all UN member states are periodically reviewed based on their human rights performance. Malawi is currently preparing its report for the fourth cycle of the UPR, and the working session was designed to assist the country in finalizing its national submission and increasing the capacity of national stakeholders to monitor, report, and implement international human rights obligations.
Malawi’s NMIRF serves as the country’s central coordinating body for human rights reporting. Comprising representatives from various government ministries and civil society organizations, the NMIRF plays a vital role in compiling data, drafting national reports, and following up on the implementation of recommendations from previous UPR cycles. This mechanism ensures an inclusive and comprehensive approach to human rights reporting, reflecting both governmental and non-governmental perspectives.
The two-day workshop was both technical and interactive in nature. One of its main goals was to validate the draft national report Malawi will submit as part of the fourth UPR cycle. Participants also took part in capacity-building sessions focused on enhancing their understanding of the UN human rights system, particularly the process for submitting state reports to UN human rights treaty bodies.
The session was officially opened by Malawi’s Minister of Justice, HE Titus Mvola, who emphasized the importance of the event as a milestone in Malawi’s ongoing efforts to uphold and promote human rights. The minister acknowledged the essential support of the Commonwealth Secretariat in helping Malawi build and sustain a robust human rights infrastructure.
Over the years, the Secretariat’s Human Rights Unit has provided Malawi with technical assistance to help meet its international human rights obligations. This includes support for engaging effectively with various UN mechanisms and implementing the nine core international human rights instruments to which Malawi is a signatory. These include treaties on civil and political rights, economic, social, and cultural rights, the rights of women, children, and persons with disabilities, and protections against racial discrimination and torture.
Throughout the workshop, participants reviewed the progress Malawi has made in addressing the recommendations it received during the previous UPR cycle. They also discussed ongoing challenges and emerging human rights concerns in the country. Civil society actors played a key role in these discussions, contributing data and insights from communities across Malawi. This collaborative approach ensured that the final report would reflect a broad and accurate picture of the human rights situation in the country.
The working session not only served as a preparation for the upcoming UPR submission but also contributed to enhancing the long-term institutional capacity of Malawi’s human rights stakeholders. The interactive format fostered dialogue and shared learning among participants, equipping them with tools to continue monitoring and implementing international human rights commitments even beyond the current UPR cycle.
This initiative underscores the Commonwealth Secretariat’s continued dedication to supporting member states in achieving tangible progress in human rights promotion and protection. For Malawi, it represents another meaningful step forward in affirming its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the global human rights agenda.
As the country moves closer to submitting its report for the fourth UPR cycle, the groundwork laid during this session positions Malawi to engage confidently and constructively in the international human rights dialogue.
